
COPYRIGHT DEPOSIT. 



A BOOK OF VERSE 



A BOOK 0/ VERSE 



BY 



SARAH MARTYN WRIGHT 




THE JORDAN & MORE PRESS 
BOSTON 






Copyright, 1921 
By SARAH MARTYN WRIGHT 



Printed in tlse United States of America 



JAN 20 1922 
©CU654338 



TO THE 

''BRADFORD GIRLS" AND OTHER FRIENDS 

WHOSE GENEROUS ENCOURAGEMENT AND CO-OPERATION HAS 

RESULTED IN THE PUBLICATION OF THIS VOLUME, 

IT IS AFFECTIONATELY DEDICATED 



Thanks are due to The American Magazine^ The National^ 
Munsey^s^ Out Door Life, The Intelligencer, The Metaphysi- 
cal Magazine, The Jeffersonian and others, for permission to 
republish some of these poems. 



FOREWORD 

If by my gift of song, 

One burden I can lighten, 
If by my gift of song 

One lonely pathway brighten, 
One ray of sunshine shed, dispelling fear and dread, 
One doubting soul can lead to help in time of need, 
Or by the beauty lavished everywhere 
Point to a Father's loving care. 
Amid the cold world's selfishness 
One heart inspire to selflessness ; 
Can lessen by my gift of song, one wrong ; 
Then shall I not have lived in vain. 
Not all in vain. 



CONTENTS 
PART I. POEMS OF LOVE 

PAGE 

All Things Love Thee 3 

Would I Were Anything Dear to Thy Heart 3 

A Confession 4 

My Sweetheart 5 

Why 5 

Love 6 

A Shrine 6 

America, A Love Song 7 

A Quest 8 

Thy Birthday 10 

Our Life 10 

" Good-Night " 11 

Eileen Machree 12 

PART n. POEMS OF NATURE 

My Window 15 

Returning 16 

A Carnival 17 

To a Butterfly in a Roof-Garden 18 

The Birds 19 

Idlesse 20 

A Destiny 21 

The " Forest of Arden " 22 

Smiling Days 24 

Listening 25 

A Remonstrance 26 

Easter Song of the Flowers 27 

The Day I Love 29 



CONTENTS — Continued 

PAGE 

The Song of Summer 31 

Pink Clover 32 

The Sea or the Woods? 32 

Out of the Northland 34 

December 35 

Winter, A Love Song 36 

My Father's World 38 

PART III. MISCELLANEOUS 

Youth and Age 41 

Life 42 

Bradford, 1837-1840 43 

Helen Keller 44 

Baby's Eyes 45 

Lullaby 46 

A Boy 47 

Eternally Young 48 

The Mystic Sea 49 

" Of Such is the Kingdom of Heaven " 51 

Rest 51 

Silence 52 

The Lone Traveler 53 

To Cardinal Mercier 55 

Bon Voyage 56 

MizPAH 56 

The World's Easter 57 

America 58 

It Nears 59 

Fulfillment 61 

" Gone West " 63 

A Cleansing Fire : 65 

Christmas Time 66 

To the New Year 67 



PART I 
POEMS OF LOVE 



Poems o f Love 



ALL THINGS LOVE THEE 

List! All things around, above thee, Earth and Heaven; 
Whisper to my soul, *' We love thee! " Morn and even. 
All things beautiful and blessed, picture thee; 
Nature hath herself confessed thus to me. 

Budding leaf and opening flower, breathe thy name; 
Laughing brook and summer shower, sing the same. 
Blithesome bird whose music filleth raptured ear; 
Carols that with love it thrilleth when thou'rt near. 

So all things around, above thee. Earth and Heaven; 
Ever echo that they love thee, morn and even. 

WOULD I WERE ANYTHING DEAR TO THY 
HEART 

Would I were anything dear to thy heart 
Aught from which it would grieve thee to part; 
A bird, a tree, or a favorite flower. 
To comfort and cheer in a wearisome hour. 

A bird, then my sweetest song ever to thee ; 

A flower, my beauty and fragrance for thee ; 

A tree, I would learn from the zephyrs of heaven, 

A language to bless thee at morn and at even. 

Would I were something dear to thy heart. 
Something from which it would grieve thee to part, 
Aught that was loved and cherished by thee ; 
A joy to thee daily fain would I be. 



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A CONFESSION 

I stole some kisses years agone, 

And now my conscience pricks me sore. 
I find no rest at night or dawn, 

So I those kisses would restore. 

I took them, yes, I own the crime ; 

But reparation full I'll make; 
ril give them back, at any time, 

And beg you'll ten-fold interest take. 

I held you laughing on my knee. 
And kisses stole, a score or more. 

You were a rosy elf of three. 
And I, well I was twenty-four. 

Now you are radiant twenty-three, 

While I alas! am forty-four! 
I'm conscience-stricken, well I see, 

My peace has flown forevermore, 
Unless those kisses I restore. 

Those stolen kisses I restore. 



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MY SWEETHEART 

A raven curl — a brown-eyed girl, 

A form of sweet enchanting grace. 
Imperious mien — a very queen ; 

Withal a roguish, smiling face. 
A dimpled hand — a tiny band 

Of gold around a finger small. 
A smile I see — then on my knee 

Before this sweetheart mine, I fall. 

Wee maid of three, so coy, yet free. 
To charm with winning, witching arts. 

In coming years, what hopes and fears 
She'll rouse with woman's game of hearts. 



WHY 

Why do I love thee? Ask the flower 
Why it loves the summer sun. 

Why the thirsty earth the shower 
When the summer day is done. 

Ask the needle why 'tis pointing 

Ever to one shining star. 
Ask the steel why quick 'tis springing 

Ever to the magnet bar. 

Ask the bird whose night-song lingers 
When all nature sinks to rest. 

Why he sings, what mystic fingers 
Touch the chords within his breast. 



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Ask the babe whose smiHng slumbers 
Ever their sweet secrets keep ; 

Ask it what angelic numbers 

Charm its listening ear, in sleep. 

Ask the poet why his vision 

Beauty finds, whate'er its guise. 

How he reaches fields elysian 
All unseen by other eyes. 

Then if vainly thou hast striven 
Love's deep mystery to unfold ; 

Know no answer can be given. 
Why we love can ne'er be told. 



LOVE 

Ah, who shall think or say Love ever dies! 
That radiant, heaven-born thing of Paradise! 
It finds rich food of which the world knows naught, 
In loving service and the blessed thought 
That thus a moment's happiness it gives 
To any dear one ; and on this it lives 
Forever! 

A SHRINE 

Safe guarded in the temple of my heart, 
Its inner temple, love, before thy face 

A sacred fire, on an altar burns; 

For there enshrined, like haloed saint, thou art. 

Fragrance of censered incense fills all space ; 
And slowly rising from the swinging urns. 

Seems heavenward soaring, like a silent prayer; 



A Book of Verse 



A silent prayer of praise and gratitude, 
That Love, amid earth's round of toil and care, 

Thrice blessed guest! in all its plenitude 
And strength divine, hath made my heart its home. 

Illumining with its immortal flame. 
Each cloistered cell beneath the vaulted dome, 
And waking slumb'rous echoes with thy name. 



AMERICA. A LOVE SONG 

(1917) 

America, beloved name! 
Unclouded, bright, world-honored name, 
Land of our patriot's deathless fame, 
I thank our Father I can claim 
Thee as my own. 

America, loved country mine! 
My heart now worships at thy shrine, 
Heaven crown thee with its Love Divine, 
My friends, myself and all that's mine, 
I give to thee. 

America, to thee is due. 
Next to my God, my homage true; 
Thy weal, thy woe, thy glory too. 
Are mine; and with my prayers I'll woo 
Blessings for thee. 

America, sweet Freedom's air 
Is thine ; and thy rich beauty rare 
Enthralls my heart, while everywhere 
The imprint of my Maker's care 
Is joy to me. 



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And so, America, I'll raise 
My heart to heaven in grateful song of praise; 
That I, in these fierce hatred's fiendish days 
A seething, mad volcano in its rage, 
A wild tornado in its ways, 
Belong to thee. 

A QUEST 

In quest of Beauty's home, I met 
And asked a wandering summer breeze 
Pray knowest thou where Beauty dwells? 
I listened: " On yon greenwood hill, amid the whispering 
trees." 

Pray knowest thou where Beauty dwells? 
I questioned music-throated bird; 

Her home is in my nest," he said, '' her voice I just have 
heard." 

Pray knowest thou where Beauty dwells? 
I asked a scholar — man of men! 

Beauty you'll find within those books," and bowed his 
head to them. 

Pray knowest thou where Beauty dwells? 
I said to poet gifted rare. 

With reverent voice he answered me, ** Here, there and 
everywhere." 

Pray knowest thou where Beauty dwells? 
I questioned next a lover true, 

A " yes " flashed from his lips, "ah, yes, in her dear eyes 
of blue." 



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A mother then I asked, who held 
Her sleeping baby to her breast. 

Pray knowest thou where Beauty dwells? Her thought 
I might have guessed. 

She smiled while looking fondly down, 
And then, though not a word she said. 
Her answer came, her lips she pressed upon a downy 
head. 

Pray knowest thou where Beauty dwells? 
I questioned now a toiling one. 

Oft with the poor she dwells," he said, " with us her 
sweetest work is done." 

Vain quest! Of my own heart I asked, 
Doth Beauty then forever roam. 
And hath she in this world no home? " 
When lo! a voice, and yet no sound; 
Where'er unselfish love is found, there Beauty hath a 
home. 



10 ABookofVers'e 



THY BIRTHDAY 

Thy birthday! Each succeeding year 
But makes thee to thy friends more dear, 
And binds thee to the heart 
With cords that cannot part. 
For cords of love the stronger grow 
As seasons come and go. 

With gladness then each birthday greet; 
And know that hearts their vigil keep, 

Not by the flight of years, 

By earthly hopes and fears, 
But by each soul-throb true and pure, 

Friendship and love endure. 

And passing years shall anchors prove 
To safely guard the bark of love 

Amid the storms of life, 

Its perils and its strife. 
Oh! gladly then thy birthdays greet. 

For they make love complete. 



OUR LIFE 

As in spring-time opening flowers, 
Thy fair flowers we joy to see ; 
So our life springs forth from thee. 
Daily new, and ever free. 
This Thy love's decree! 

Destined we for heights supernal! 
Heights, unfading, ever vernal! 
Life immortal! Life eternal! 



A B ok of V er s e 11 



" GOOD-NIGHT " 

I bid thee " good-night " and " good-night," my beloved 

one — 
The dayHght hath vanished — thy rest-time hath come. 
So I bid thee " good-night " and ** good-night " again, 

weary one, 
Thy cares are all banished, thy day's work is done. 
Then sleep — sweetly sleep — Heaven's peace shall 

o'ershadow thee. 
No earthly ill — no danger is near. 
Thy Father's sure promise — a benison giveth thee, 
Thy sleep shall be sweet," this shall banish all fear. 

Thy frailties and errors His love hath forgiven thee 

Remembered no more, they are blotted from sight. 

The mistakes of thy life shall as stepping stones be to 

thee; 
Steps leading upward to Love and to Light! 
Then sleep — sweetly sleep — Heaven's peace shall 

o'ershadow thee; 
No earthly ill — no danger is near. 
Thy Father's sure promise — a benison giveth thee. 
Thy sleep shall be sweet," this shall banish all fear. 

A child thou of Light — and no darkness surroundeth 

thee; 
Angels of love watch and guard thee each day, 
A charge they are given to strengthen and comfort thee, 
Lead thee and keep thee in Heaven's own way. 
Then sleep — sweetly sleep — Heaven's peace shall 

o'ershadow thee. 
No earthly ill — no danger is near. 
Thy Father's sure promise — a benison giveth thee, 
Thy sleep shall be sweet," this shall banish all fear. 



12 A Book of Verse 



EILEEN MACHREE 

They may tell of the stars on a clear summer night, 

Eileen Machree. 
They may sing of the flowers all blooming and bright, 

Eileen Machree. 
But your eyes are my stars, my smiling twin stars. 
And I gaze at them long through their soft, silken bars, 

Eileen, Eileen Machree. 

Refrain 

All the roses and lilies will blush when they meet 
My Eileen, and gaze on her beauty complete; 
She's the light of the world — the wide world to me; 
My Eileen mavourneen — sweet Eileen Machree. 

And your cheeks are my roses, so fair and so sweet, 

Eileen Machree; 
While your lips, — sure 'tis there that heaven and earth 
meet, 

Eileen Machree. 
The sunbeams are caught, and twined in your hair; 
They glint and they glisten, and make my world fair, 

Eileen, Eileen Machree. 



Refrain 

Of Tara's sweet harp though our poets may sing, 

Eileen Machree. 
Your own voice beside, 'twas a tiresome thing, 

Eileen Machree. 
All the pearls and the diamonds that queens ever wear, 
With your loving and innocent heart can't compare, 

Eileen, Eileen Machree. 



PART II 
POEMS OF NATURE 



Poems of Nature 



MY WINDOW 

A fair expanse of waving green, 

Trees, quivering leaves, — rose-patch between; 

And all in crowded city. 
This beauty daily greets my eyes, 
As 'twere a glimpse of Paradise, 
And should you ask where this I view, 

I'd tell you, at my window! 

In color, form and foliage all 
They differ, but in beauty's thrall 

Alike they hold the heart; 
For though of differing fibre wrought, 
The selfsame language all are taught; 
A language from above ; — to this 

I listen at my window. 

And to delight both eye and ear, 
Is joyous music far and near 

By birds of briUiant beauty, 
This rapturous music fills the air, 
As flitting, flying, everywhere. 
Of love and happiness they sing, 

And charm me, at my window. 



16 A B ok of V er s e 



I know not him whose gold has bought 
These waving trees, nor care I aught 

For any earthly owner, 
I only know they're held in fee 
For those alone whose hearts can see 
And feel their beauty rare, and so 

/ own them, — at my window! 

No acres broad have I , nor gold ; 
No " stately mansion " mine to hold, 

Nor gems of priceless value. 
But I have treasures, and their worth 
Is ne'er excelled by aught of earth ; 
I daily count them o'er and know 

I'm wealthy; — at my window! 

RETURNING 

The singing birds are coming back — back to Illinois! 
The sweet, soft-throated songsters that once gave simple 

joy . 
To our sires of olden time — those hardy pioneers 

Who trailed across the prairie, in the fast-forgotten years ; 
When streams ran clear, untainted, and forests stood 
unhewn ; 
When clouds from grim, black-throated steeds, darked 
not the harvest moon, 
When maids were constant, men were true, and close to 
Nature's heart 
Led homely, honest lives, nor bowed the knee to Fashion's 
art. 
Those days are gone beyond recall, those days of simple joy; 
But the singing-birds are coming back — back to Illinois! 



A Book of Verse 17 



A CARNIVAL 

I watched a carnival to-day, 

A dancing carnival it seemed. 

And as the sunbeams o'er it glinted, gleamed, 

I marvelled at the beauty of the scene. 

The dancers were arrayed in gayest green. 

Brightened with here and there a touch of gold. 

And as I watched them all, both young and old, 

Seemed with the spirit of the dance inspired. 

The music? I heard none. 

None reached my listening ear. 

Yet dancers all seemed keeping time 

To some mysterious, rhythmic strain. 

In stately minuet some bowed and swayed. 

Others, the graceful waltz preferred. 

Still others, to fantastic jig were stirred. 

Of " wall-flowers," there were none, for all were dancers 

there. 
And, adding to the wonder of the scene. 
As gracefully they swayed in differing dance. 
They all seemed keeping step and time 
To music from some unknown clime. 
Whether the minuet, or waltz, whate'er was danced. 
Still by the same mysterious strain all were entranced. 

I watched these tireless dancers with delight. 

Until, surrounded by the shades of night 

They dimmed. Still, as I turned for one more wondering 

glance, 
On, on they whirled and swayed, they whirled and swayed, 
As if to dance were all for which the world was made. 
Still keeping time to that mysterious rhythmic rhyme. 

And thus I watched a carnival of trees, 
Dancing to music of September breeze. 



18 A Book of Verse 



TO A BUTTERFLY IN A ROOF-GARDEN 

Whence dost thou come, O gold-robed wanderer! 
From what fair garden dost thou stray? 
Hast lost thy way? 
Or dost thou strive to rise above our earth, 
And seek some air of purer birth 
For thy brief day? 

Gaily thou flittest 'mid the flowers here, 
With no companion far or near 

To share thy joy, dost thou enjoy 
Thy roaming thus alone? 
The sun-kissed heliotrope thy flower elect, 
For her, her gay-robed sisters dost neglect. 
Pray doth some secret sense e'er speak to thee 
Of love in fragrant flower whate'er it be? 
Of this I know not, but approve thy choice 
For fragrant flowers ever have a voice 

Appealing to the heart, 

By something far apart. 
From that rich beauty which their sisters wear. 
Yet well I love that beauty, and could spare 

Naught of their loveliness so rare. 
Naught of the beauty that adorns our earth. 
And tells us of the Hand that gave it birth. 

The night comes on apace, O tiny wanderer, haste to thine 

own! 
Or dost thou 'mid the flowers, find thy home? 



A Book of Verse 19 



THE BIRDS 

'Twas on a sultry, summer day, 
Secure from every scorching ray. 
On trellised balcony I lay 

A-dreaming. 
When with a " wet, wet, wet," 
And " wake up, wake up! " 
The soft, still air seemed teeming. 
A winged song-poem past me flashed 

And dashed 
Into a rocky, cool retreat 
To sip of Nature's nectar sweet. 
A moment — then to my delight 
Came "lit — lit — leu — leu — leu " 

And quick there flew 
A score of feathered songsters, drest 
In quiet brown, with scarlet breast. 

Into the shady, cool retreat 

With "lit — lit — leu " they flew 

Their share of nectar sweep to sip. 
A mimic rain upon the grass then fell 
When quick the red-breast songsters came 

And in a game 

Of " catch- who-can," 

There soon began 

A fluttering of tiny wings 
With "lit — lit — leu " and bird-like springs 

Enchanting to my view. 
Then past me suddenly a rainbow flashed 

Into the mimic rain it plashed 

With a musical " curly — curly hey! " 

And a " chick-er-way, chick-er-way chew 
" An oriole surely it must be " 
I said, " no other bird but he 



20 A B ook of V er s e 



In northern woods such hues possess, 

Or hides such music in his breast." 

Cooled and refreshed my tiny guests still played 

Their graceful games — all unafraid, 

Till fluttering on the summer air 

And with a jubilant, " lit — lit — leu " 

And a merry, musical " chick-er-way chew " 

As a gay adieu 

And a glad " thank you " 

Away they flew 
Through the summer air, I knew not where. 

IDLESSE 

I'd seek some dreamy, sylvan lake, 

Whose wavelets softly sing 

Of hidden mountain spring, — 
Of wand 'rings thence through forest green, 
Where, 'companied by many a rill and stream, 

They sped their laughing way. 

Leaping, with foam and spray. 

Gaily o'er rock so gray ; 
Till in charmed valley, resting, they did wake 

To find themselves a lake! 

On wooded marge I'd rest and dream — 

The drowsy hours away, 
Or watch the cloud and wavelets play. 
With my own soul I would commune. 

And list to mystic tune 

Of woodland choristers. 

Nature's own foresters ; 
Worshippers they at unseen shrine. 

Led by a Hand Divine. 
And thus, by sylvan lake, I'd rest 

And dream on Nature's breast. 



A Book of Verse 21 



A DESTINY 

A silver thread from far off mountain peak, 

Flashes and glimmers — laughing in the light — 
Of morning sun, as silently it steals 

O'er rugged path, its winding way adown. 
Anon it broadens, as from hidden springs 

A myriad drops its mimic tide now swells, 
And hurrying, scurrying to its nearing goal, 

A tossing, tumbling mass of crystal foam 
It flings itself in blissful ecstasy 

Into the restful lap of quiet vale, 
Then pausing, breathless, from its journey wild. 

In placid rapture there, the call it bides 
Of distant river hastening on and on 

To lose itself in the eternal depths 
Of ocean's gray, resistless, vast embrace. 

It listens — answers — " Lo, I hear thy song! 
In joyful haste to thee I come! I fly! " 

And lingering not within the circling arms 
Of quiet valley, peacefully it speeds 

'Mid welcoming grass and floweret, to its home, 
Until, in broad, full-bosomed river's tide, 

'Tis lost! — Fulfilled a destiny! 



22 A Book of Vers 



THE " FOREST OF ARDEN "* 

^ Written after reading Hamilton Wright Mabie's " In the Forest of Arden." 

Oh, wonderful " Forest of Arden "! 
Thy delights I am longing to share — 
Thy freedom — thy life-giving air. 

Where each one forever will be 

From conventional folly set free. 

Where shams and pretenses all end, 

And we find every brother a friend! 
If all those who seek, find welcome and rest — 
Then my home is for aye, in this " Forest " so blest. 

Oh, beautiful " Forest of Arden "! 
In thy depths I'd fain wander at will. 
I would rest beside brooklet and rill. 

I'd leave anger, envy and strife, 

With all useless burdens of life; 

For no discord e'er can be found 

In " Arden's " enchanted ground; 
Nor aught but " good-will " ever gain entrance there, 
Or be known in this " Forest " its peace to impair. 

Oh, glorious " Forest of Arden "! 
I would learn the great secrets of life 
With which Nature forever is rife. 

To be true to myself I would learn; 

To Nature — to God — and would turn 

From the greed and the heaping of gold. 

With its deadening power untold ; 
From all who would crush and oppress weaker man, 
As but blemishes, blots, upon Nature's great plan. 



A Book of Verse 23 



Mysterious " Forest of Arden "! 

I am waiting thy secrets to share, 

I would meet with those great ones who dare, 

The world and its ways to defy; 

Its deceit and corruption decry. 

All mere selfish gain they would bar, 

With cruel oppression and war. 
These lessons stand ever revealed to the sight 
In the " Forest of Arden," in letters of light. 



24 A Book of Verse 



SMILING DAYS 

Prophetic morn ! Glad herald of the day 

When Nature, throbbing with new life, will wake 

To robe herself in delicate array, 

With broidery of bud and blossom, and will make 
All hearts rejoice for beauty's sake. 

She'll woo the birds, whisp'ring of leafy glade ; 
Of hidden home in sweet sequestered lane. 

Then hushed will listen, as her call obeyed, 
A thousand voices swell the glad refrain 
Of unseen choirs in her wide domain. 

She'll waken rill and stream from winter sleep ; 

With merry, laughing voice they'll answer all. 
Through thicket and o'er rock they'll flash and leap 

In many a wild cascade and waterfall, 

Rejoicing at her Easter call. 

Each sleeping, dreaming floweret she'll wake ; 

And gladly springing from its safe retreat. 
Its fragrant Easter toilet it will make; 

For April showers and sunshine it must meet 

Its springtime beauty to complete. 

And thus will Nature in her smiling way 
Make glad response to call of Easter day. 



A Book of Verse 25 



LISTENING 

The world's instinct with music — 'tis with melody aglow. 
It thrills with wondrous harmonies, that round us ceaseless 

flow; 
The ambient air is freighted with rich argosies of sound; 
From heart and soul awakened, sweetest cadences abound. 
The anthem of the stars as on their trackless path they fly, 
Majestic diapason from unknown worlds on high, 
Down from those radiant realms of light, is borne to listening 

earth, 
In rainbow of rich chords that speak the wonders of their 

birth. 

Sphere unto distant sphere responds — a choir antiphonal — 
In harmony none hear, save one, the Master, at whose call, 
The universe, sublime in grandeur, with a rhythmic strain 
Around a living centre sweeps, o'er boundless stellar main. 
All planets, suns, uniting — a countless, myriad throng — 
In one majestic symphony, the wondrous chords prolong, 
While Nature's course, her many moods, as seasons come 

and go, 
Is earth's response to Wisdom's law, in notes that ebb and 

flow. 

The melody of opening flower, of perfumed breath so sweet, 
Which ears attuned to mysteries, alone can hear and greet; 
The budding tree, the springtime grass beneath our careless 

tread. 
All, all are music-filled, and all by one great Master led. 
The woodland rivulet, so merry, on its laughing way, 
Sings madrigal to tree and flower, a low, melodic lay; 
The river's ceaseless monotone, in song forever tells 
Of journeyings swift to ocean tide, whose chorus wild it 

swells. 



26 A Book of Verse 



The soft, sweet lapping of the surf on ocean's sandy shore, 
Is music caught from distant worlds to which no thought 
can soar. 

Deep forest, bowing stately head, lists to the grand refrain. 
And myriad- voiced, with rapture, joins the universal 

strain. 
All seeming silent force, of nature's rhythmic song a part; 
Unwritten, wordless melody, pulsing through her heart. 
While far beyond all harmony of earth and sky or sun. 
Soars living music of the soul tuned by the Eternal One; 
Its thousand chords responding to the Wisdom and the 

Love 
That guides the universe below, — the Heaven of Heavens 

above. 
The Fount Divine of Harmony, of Beauty and of Truth, 
The Source of Love and Joy, that blends in an immortal 

youth. 

A REMONSTRANCE 

Why lingerest thou, O Winter! 
Dost thou not know thy reign is o'er? 
Why dally with the charms of Spring! 
Dost thou not know she ne'er will sing 
A song of love to thee! 

She's waiting with her buds and flowers 
Her sunny skies and April showers. 
But fearing this thy last advance. 
She lingers with a shrinking glance. 



A Book of Verse 11 



She owns her debt of gratitude to thee, O Graybeard, for the 

care 
With which, in pitying mood, thou coverest with down her 

sleeping flowers, 
Protecting them from Boreas, thy boon companion's frigid 

air. 
Till her return from southern clime with warm and vernal 

showers. 

But leave her now, I pray thee, for short and brief her stay. 
Too soon she'll be supplanted by Summer's torrid ray. 
Then leave her, trouble her no more, the sweet, the blessed 

Spring! 
Till Yule-tide's song, thy reign is o'er, O be content! Take 

wing. 

EASTER SONG OF THE FLOWERS 

We are coming, coming; 

We have heard the call. 
Faintest, sweetest music, 

Echoing round us all. 

Waked by young spring, with kisses sweet, 
From dreamless sleep in safe retreat, 
Far from bleak winter's icy reign. 
She bade us join the glad refrain. 

We are coming, coming! 

List! from far and near, 
Every bud and leaflet 

Singing, " Spring is here! " 



28 A Book of Verse 



Despite the lingering shade and chill, 
We feel the magic throb and thrill, 
The surge of beauty yet unborn. 
So soon to greet our Easter morn. 

Yes, we are coming, coming! 

Our glory '11 soon appear; 
Our night of waiting over, 

Our resurrection's near. 

With fragrance and with beauty rare, 
We'll greet bright skies and balmy air. 
Until our Easter's gladsome strain 
Circles the listening earth again. 

Hallelujah! Christ is risen! Join the universal song! 
Nature in new life rejoicing. 
Now with men and angels voicing 
Praise to the One Eternal! Glorious, mighty, 
myriad throng! 



A Book of Verse 29 



THE DAY I LOVE 

I love a smiling April day. 

For naught can ever sweeter be, 
Than young Spring with its minstrelsy 

Of birdland choir, mid budding trees. 

Its flowers, whispering to the breeze, 
' We're coming, we have heard the call 
Of joyous Spring, she waked us all 
From winter sleep, and bade us come 
To greet and welcome showers and sun." 

I love the blessed sunshine. 

With its warm, life-giving ray, 
Dispelling cold and darkness, 

I love a summer day. 
When Nature, in her gala robe of summer beauty drest, 
With smile and song of gladness, welcomes her every 
guest. 

I love a shadow-dappled day, 
When flying cloudlets seem to play 
At hide and seek with nature's sun, 
A cloudy, sunny day in one. 

I love the pattering drops of yain. 
That trickle down my window pane. 
Not soiled by aught of earth are they ; 
I love, I love a rainy day. 

With loving awe I watch the flash 
Of lightning, hear the thunder crash, 
I love the swaying of the trees 
By wind that laughs at summer breeze. 



30 A B ook of V er s e 



And well I love bright Autumn's reign, 
Bearing rich fruitage in her train, 
As queen of all the year comes she, 
Wearing her crown of royalty, 
Her royal crown of tinted leaves. 
Which nature for her ever weaves. 
She flings fair Summer's aftermath. 
Sweet Indian summer o'er her path. 
Asters and golden-rod her boon 
Her midnight torch, the harvest moon. 
I love an Autumn day. 

I love, yes love a winter day, 
Whose dancing snowflakes ever say, 
We come to bring you joy and cheer, 
This frolic-time of all the year, 
With merry sleigh-bells, skates and skees, 
And magic frosting on the trees." 
Whose crowning charm is joyous chime 
Of bells at blessed Christmas time, 
Of singing bells at Christmas time. 

And thus all seasons and all days are dear to me 
For each is part of Nature's law — Diversity. 



A Book of Verse 31 



THE SONG OF SUMMER 

I come with noiseless footfall over hill and lea. 

I follow fast my harbingers, buds on shrub and tree. 

Eager watchers wistfully chide me for delay; 

But summer waits for springtime's last farewell to May. 

Roses I will bring you, their scent is in the air. 
Velvet-lipped and perfume-laden, sun-kissed flowers so fair. 
Roses white and roses red, sweet wild rose for youthful 

head; 
Roses, roses everywhere. 

Spirit of soft Zephyrus, ever round me hovers. 
Balmy days and moonlit nights, I will bring to lovers. 
Leafy bowers, wild wood flowers. 
Summer showers, fragrant air, 
Sunshine, sunshine everywhere, 
I will make the world most fair. 

Then greet, yes greet my smiling days 

With gladsome roundelays. 

My merry, mirthful days, 

My halcyon holidays, 

With joyous roundelays; 

My peaceful, perfect days, 

My dreamy, drowsy days. 

Greet them with restful roundelays. 

When eager watchers wistfully 

Chide me for delay; 
I tell them Summer waits for Spring's 

Last farewell to May. 



32 A Book of Verse 



PINK CLOVER 

Just a handful of clover blossoms, 

Touched with a roseate hue, 
Just a handful of clover blossoms, 

Sparkling with morning dew. 
Yet the marvel of our meadows. 

Sweet, modest, home-side flower. 
Its charms, what artist hand can limn! 

This rosy-petaled flower. 

With dainty grace it carries 

Upon each slender stem. 
Full many a honeyed, tempting cup, 

Inviting bird and bee to sup. 
With fragrance wooing them. 

This modest, meadow flower; 
Sweet, lowly, home-side flower. 

THE SEA OR THE WOODS? 

The sea? the woods? ah, who can say? 
Both are a refuge from the fray 
And turmoil of the world, and sway 
The heart in a mysterious way. 
And give sweet peace and rest. 

The woods with whispering trees invite 
Each one whom Nature doth delight 
To rest beneath their leafy shade, 
Or roam in tangled glen and glade 
In search of fragrant flowers that hide 
'Neath mossy stone, or brook beside. 
To listen to sweet, songsters gay 
With chirp, or trill, or roundelay. 



A B ok of V er s e 33 



Ah, charmed woods! thine is the power 
To give to tired one an hour 
Of childhood's joys; a blessed hour 
Of rest and happiness. 

But boundless sea, I turn to thee. 
When my imprisoned soul would free 

Itself from chains of earth, and soar 

Like bird that wings to distant shore, 
In thee I inspiration find; 
In storm- tossed wave and boisterous wind. 

While ever borne to listening ear, 

Are cadences from far and near; 
Song of thy water's ceaseless flow. 
Now wild and strong, now soft and low. 
Thy ever-changing color, too, 
Lends to my life its radiant hue; 

And e'en thy pebbled, sandy beach 

Is joy to me, beyond the reach 

Of petty cares, and thou dost teach 
Deep mysteries to me. 

Thus sea and woods, alike in thee I find 
Solace for restless heart and wearied mind, 
To one, in softer, gentler mood I turn ; 
To other, when my soul doth burn 

To solve life's mystery, 

That oft oppresses me. 
I gaze upon thy boundlessness, 
The while it soothes my restlessness, 
And fills my heart with trust and faith 
In Him — Omnipotence — who saith, 
Peace, be thou still! " to tempest rage on sea or 

land, 
And stays the storms of life with Loving, Mighty, 
Hand, 

Thy Ruler, He, O boundless sea! 



34 A Book of Vers 



OUT OF THE NORTHLAND 

He comes! A giant from the Northland comes! 
A giant grim and grey speeds his relentless way. 
Expectant Nature, shivering, owns his sway. 
With fierce, wild shriek and thund'rous mighty roar 
His furious minions lash the waves until with crash 
Of maddened rage, 'gainst towering crag they dash. 

Of cries from helpless victim, wots he naught. 

But in the midnight gloom, with hoarse and sullen boom, 

Mid seething, whirling waters seals their doom. 

As withering blast on blast of icy breath. 

The swaying, trembling trees part with their wealth of 

leaves ; 
While o'er their outstretched arms all nature grieves. 

His fingers touch the perfume-laden flowers; 

Quick droops each lovely head. Each fragrant petal 

shed, 
Their spectred forms we see, and mourn them dead. 
Anon, with change from savage, angry mood, 
White fleecy covering he'll softly, deftly fling 
O'er earth, in pity for each stricken thing. 

As if, repentant of his wrath, he'd say. 

This covering, soft and warm, will hide from wildest 

storm. 
Sleep well; and wake in fairer, lovelier form." 
On, on he speeds. Naught can his purpose stay — 
His revels check — this giant grim and grey. 
While nature, shrinking from the fierce affray, 
Rejoicing springs to life when ends his sway. 



A Book of Verse 35 



DECEMBER 

Thou cold and sullen December, 
Bleak, barren, and desolate, 
All loveless seems thy fate. 
We mourn the beauty thou hast killed, 
The song-birds chilled; 
All hastened from thine icy breath, 
Fast flying from destruction, death; 
Thou month of dread! 

But hark! what wonder worketh in thee now, 
Transforming thee to smiling Spring! 
Lo, Christmas angels on the wing, 
In tone of adoration sing, 
The Christ-child now is born. 
Welcome the wondrous morn," 
No longer loveless thou, 
But laurel-crowned thy brow. 
Thrice-blest December! 



36 A Book of Verse 



WINTER, A LOVE SONG 

Winter, I hail thy coming! I ever welcome thee! 
Rare joys and sports await thy call, they crowd right 

merrily, 
Thy stormy revels wild I watch with wondering, strange 

delight; 
To me they seem but friendly; though oft-dreaded with 

affright . 
Thy pure, life-giving breath stirs me to action vigorous, 

strong. 
The music of thy whistling wind, arouses me to song. 

Thou touchest rivulet and stream — lo, crystal clear and 

bright! 
With lavish hand thou scatterest jewels flashing in the 

light. 
Some diamond-fingered Midas-art hast thou to charm our 

sight? 
E'en thy gray days with leaden clouds that oft-times hide 

the sun ; 
True pleasure give to me, for then our trees 
Bared of their rich autumnal robing by thy breath, 
Their strength and graceful beauty thus revealed; 
To us their strong arms proudly stretch and say : 
Dost see our delicate, brown lace-work pictured there, 
By Nature's camera, against the soft, gray sky? " 
It was in summer wrought, and hid in leafy shade. 
Till Winter's friendly breath its hidden charm displayed. 



A Book of Verse 37 



In all thy moods, with all thy faults, Winter I welcome 

thee! 
But when with downy feathers laden from an Arctic sky, 
Thy way to us thou speedest, on wings of Boreas fly. 
With joy I hail thy coming, with delight I welcome thee! 
For, covering, all silently, the earth so cold and bare, 
The sleeping flowers in her bosom, blanketing with care. 
And frosting tree and tiniest shrub with art but thine 

alone. 
Thou makest earth a fairy palace fit for Oberon's throne. 

So bounteous Summer while I love thee, love thee passing 

well; 
Thy balmy breath, thy beauty rare, whose charms I 

ne'er can tell; 
Thy riot of rich color, thy fragrant-laden air, 
Thy Zephyrus soft and sweet, that woo with whisperings 

everywhere ; 
Still King of my heart, Winter thou art! 



38 A B ok of V er s e 



MY FATHER'S WORLD 

" This is my Father's world." 
And over it Love's banner is unfurled. 
His, all the charm and loveliness, where'er we look. 
Whether from mountain height or in some sylvan nook. 
He is the Fount of beauty and of love, 
In earth beneath as in the heavens above. 

" This is my Father's world." 
The seasons, summer, winter, autumn, spring, 
His Love and Wisdom, to His children bring. 
And o'er each one a charm doth fling. 

" This is my Father's world." 
The ocean vast whose bounds His law hath set; 
With ceaseless ebb and flow, those bounds can ne'er forget. 
Nature itself is but an open book. 
On every page at which His children look 
Lessons are written by His loving Hand, 
Written on mountain, valley, stream and tree; 
Written on cloud and sunshine, rain and dew; 
On every flower that lifts its face to me. 
Symbols forever true. 

Blest are the hearts that see and understand, 
These lessons written by my Father's Hand. 



PART III 

MISCELLANEOUS 



M iscellaneo us 



YOUTH AND AGE 

Ah, Youth is fair, and Youth is sweet! 
But swift she flies with winged feet, 
And leaves our life but half complete. 

Ah, Youth is fair, and Youth is gay! 
She charms and rules with magic sway; 
Then passes on like summer day. 

And age, with beauty all her own 
Comes silently. Youth's path adown. 
And sits a queen upon her throne. 

She touches with her fingers fair. 
Our lips, our brow, our eyes, our hair, 
And leaves her gentle impress there. 

And what glad Youth with flying feet, 
Was fain to leave with footsteps fleet ; 
Age finishes with patience sweet, 
And Youth and Age make life complete. 



42 A Book of V er s e 



LIFE 

Life immortal, life eternal, now is mine, now is mine 
Scenes supernal, ever vernal, from the Truth around me 
shine. 
Then begone all fear and sorrow, 
Anxious care about the morrow, 
For above all earthly strife, comes the message, ** God is 
Life, 
God is Truth, and God is Life." 

I am living in the sunshine, the sunshine of His Love; 
I am sharing with the angel's, a radiance from above. 

Calm and free my soul rejoices, 

E'en mid earth's discordant voices. 
For as borne on wings of dove, comes the message " God is 
Love; 

God is Life, and Truth, and Love." 



A Book of Verse 43 

BRADFORD 

1837-40 

I sing historic Bradford's fame, 

And proudly speak her honored name, 

Boasting her cloudless lustre. 
I think of happy days now past, 
Bright girlhood days, while thick and fast, 

Sweet memories round her cluster. 

Fair jewel in New England's crown; 
That land of patriot's renown — 

The birthplace of a nation. 
Her daughters now in our broad land, 
For all that's noble, lovely, stand. 

While gracing every station. 

As sweethearts, wives and mothers all. 
They quick respond to duty's call 

Brightened by Love's emotion. 
With heart and mind both nobly trained, 
And each by Nature, fitly framed, 
A " Bradford girl " whenever named 

Claims a heart's deep devotion. 

And so, dear Bradford, now once more to thee 

I pledge my loving loyalty. 

As ne'er to any other. 
And with thy daughters all, I hail thy name, 
A name inscribed in gold, on scroll of fame. 
'Tis eventide with me, but still 1 claim 

Thee as my childhood's mother. 



44 A Book of Verse 



HELEN KELLER 

Bright marvel of our wondrous age! 
No light of earthly sun illumes her way; 
The sun of heaven turns darkness into day. 
For her there come no shadows of the night; 
Her radiant spirit glows with heavenly light; 
Bright vision hers, — beyond our mortal sight. 
Her ear attuned to angel tones, 

Knows naught of this world's strife, its ciries and moans; 
But music richer far than earth can claim, 
With rapture, kindles heart and soul aflame. 
Her outer ear and eye all closed to sight or sound, 
God hath her inner life with richer blessings crowned, 
Given her to taste, while here, with naught of earth's alloy. 
The hidden life which gives the heavens their light and joy. 
Imprinting on her heart and mind. His new commandment, 
" Love," 
Deprived of all, — yet given all! 
• Bright marvel of our age! 



A Book of Verse 45 



BABY'S EYES 

What do I see in the baby's eyes? 
Wonderful things right out of the skies, 

Messages sent to us here below, 

That our hearts may be kept with love aglow; 
Lessons of purity, trust and peace, 
Sweetly remembered till life's surcease. 

All these I see in the baby's eyes; 

This stranger on earth from Paradise. 

What do I see in the baby's eyes? 
Questioning looks and a sweet surprise. 

Memories vague of a home once dear; 

Of purer air and skies more clear. 
Thoughts all unknown to the language of earth, 
Brought from the realms where thoughts have their birth. 

All these I see in the baby's eyes; 

This stranger on earth from Paradise. 

What do I see in the baby's eyes? 
The light of a soul that never dies. 

A soul that out of Eternity came, 

Still bearing the seal of its Maker's name. 
Innocent, pure, and free from all guile 
The lessons of earth it must learn for awhile. 
Blessing our home with its love and its smile. 

All this I see in the baby's eyes; 

This stranger on earth from Paradise. 



46 A Book of Verse 



LULLABY 

To Baby Zerelda 

Lullaby, lullaby, sleep now, my precious one. 

Close thy bright eyes, for the daylight is done. 

The stars are all twinkling "good night to thee, pretty one," 

And see! For " good night " too, the moon hath now come. 

Then sleep, baby, sleep, for thy mother'll watch over thee, 

Naught can e'er harm — loving angels are nigh ; 
They'll whisper sweet dreams bringing smiles to my sleeping 
one. 

Hush! Hear them sing, — " lullaby, lullaby." 

Little birds in their nests now are sleeping so cozily. 
And thou, too, my birdling, must sleep till the morn. 
The flowers have all closed their sweet eyes so dozily. 
And my darling must rest till the daylight is born. 
Then sleep, sweetly sleep, for thy mother'll watch over thee, 
Naught can e'er harm — loving angels are nigh ; 
They'll whisper sweet dreams bringing smiles to my sleeping 
one. 
Hush! Hear them sing — " lullaby, lullaby." 

The lambs by their mothers are drowsing so restfully, 
And thou, too, my lambkin, must drowse in the fold. 
With innocent joy thou hast frolicked, till blestfully 
Eyelids are closing — the day's story told. 
Then sleep, baby, sleep, for thy mother'll watch over thee. 

Naught can e'er harm — loving angels are nigh ; 
They'll whisper sweet dreams bringing smiles to my sleeping 
one. 

Hush! Hear them sing — " lullaby, lullaby." 



A Book of Verse 47 



A BOY 

A boy! what possibilities 

Within that word doth lie. 
A boy! responsibilities 

Confront us grave and high. 
A boy! perplexing problem, 

The future only solves, 
An endless chain of ages past 

Round him revolves. 

A chain of follies — wisdom. 

Aspirations, hopes, and fears; 
Successes, failures, doubts, desires. 

All linked with smiles and tears. 
Of these, though past. Time's loom doth weave 

A web around him still ; 
Unseen, unknown, but leading him 

To good or ill. 

Through mazes dark, a hand extend, 
Guide, guide him while you can, 
The boy — the coming man! 



48 A B ook of V er s e 



ETERNALLY YOUNG 

They say I am " old " — yes, they say I am old. 

Ah! little they know of the truth. 
The brass may be tarnished, but never the gold; 
The earthly the brass, the self the true gold ; 

And I am eternally young. 

Though covered the bough with frost and with snow, 

The tree feels never the cold. 
Its leaves and its blossoms lie warm in the heart; 
Its youth and its beauty are hid in its heart; 

And all are eternally young. 

So, while on my brow seem gathering fast, 
The frost and the snow of earth's years; 
In my heart is the flower of perpetual youth, 
Ever blossoming flower of God-given youth; 
And I am eternally young. 

Untouched is this flower by frost or by snow, 

Untouched by the fast flying years. 
It is nourished and watered by Love and by Truth; 
The fountain of life, of perennial youth; 

So I am eternally young. 
Naught know I of Age — eternally young! 

Yes, I am eternally young! 



A Book of Verse 49 



THE MYSTIC SEA 

We walk alone. A deep and silent sea, 
Invisible, parts ever soul from soul. 
And though our nearest, dearest, by us bide. 
And though with love we bind them to our side, 
Still this unnavigable, boundless sea 
Between us rolls, all silently. 

Our inner selves we never may reveal, 
E'en to those souls we fondly hold most dear. 
For earthly mists and shadows hover o'er 
This sea that parts us, and its silent shore 
Blindly we seek, hoping perchance some sail 
Awaits us, and a favoring gale. 

With lip and hand we signal o'er this sea 
Friend unto friend ; but each is still unknown ; 
And if by passing breeze a glimpse is given 
Of beauties in some kindred soul, long hidden, 
'Tis but a moment's glance, a word, a tone 
Across the sea; we're still alone. 

And when, with loved one at the eventide, 
Some sunset's glory heaven's gates unfold ; 
Or, at some wild-wood songster flinging wide 
O'er wood and meadow his clear notes of gold, 
Our hearts with rapture thrill ; in vain we scan 
The soul's horizon, for some bark to span 
This mystic sea, to make our rapture known 
To loved one, — we are still alone. 



50 A Book of Verse 



When sorrow's mountain wave, with rushing tide, 
Sweeps o'er us, making Hfe a desert drear; 
Though closest friends, with loving, tender art, 
May strive to reach and soothe the anguished heart 
They cannot cross this silent, shoreless sea; 
Save unseen ministrants, alone are we. 

But when in Other World our eyes shall ope. 
Our souls imprisoned here, shall, then set free 
From this world's shadows, no more blindly grope, 
Striving to cross a deep and silent sea; 
We there shall see and know as we are known; 
There souls shall no more walk alone. 



A Book of Verse 51 



" OF SUCH IS THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN " 

'Twas but a glance, — a moment's glance, 

And yet that glance my world had changed for me. 

For I had met my God! and went my way. 

Humbled and purified. 
'Twas but a child ; whether with outward beauty blest, 
I cannot tell but as her eyes met mine, 
I knew the Master looked on me and smiled 
Through the pure eyes of that strange child! 
And so, whate'er the coming years of life might bring, 
I knew that I had met and felt the presence of my King! 

Many long years Eternity has claimed since then; 
But never has my soul the Master met 
In human eyes again. 



REST 

Dear Lord, I lay my tired head upon thy breast. 
Content that thou dost understand and there I rest. 
Thou knowest all my grief and tears, my troubled heart. 
And thou alone can comfort give, can peace impart. 
Thou knowest how o'er sorrow's path my feet now tread; 
Lord, hold me closely to Thy side, dispelling dread. 
Thou knowest all the suffering for loved one's sake, 
I cannot comfort, aid, but thou wilt not forsake. 
For Thou dost care, and Thou dost love Thy helpless child 
I know Thou wilt protect and shield from tempest wild. 
And so I lay my tired head upon Thy breast. 
My loved ones, all I leave with Thee and there I rest. 
For in Thy love-illumined way they will be blest. 



52 J B 00 k of Verse 



SILENCE 

Amid the city's rush and roar, 
Its ceaseless whirr and whirl, 

Amid its angry breakers, where 
Wild human passions swirl. 

Amid its brazen blows of sound 

Discordant, harsh and hoarse; 
Amid the Babel of its tongues 

Confused, distraught and coarse; 
Still in the hush of silence wrapt, 

Mid calm and peace most blest, 
The music of the inner world 

Lulls me to sweetest rest. 

Faint echoes of celestial strains 
Faint, yet so strangely clear. 

Above the city's rush and roar, 
Come to my enraptured ear, 
And heaven seems near. 



A B ok of V er s e 53 



THE LONE TRAVELER 

Whence comest thou, lone traveler, 

And whither is thy flight? 
And why thy journey thus alone? 

Day fadeth into night; 
And still with outstretched, tireless wing, 

Danger unheeding. 
Onward thou'rt speeding. 

Whither, ah, whither? 

Art thou intrepid pioneer. 

That leads the pathless way 
To some bright sunlit home, afar 

From darksome winter day? 
Or, laggard-like, hast lingered near 

Some fav'rite marsh or fen, 

Beyond the sight or ken 

Of mortal eye? 

Until, with shrill cry of alarm 

Thou'st found thyself alone 
With dark'ning skies and winter's chill, 

Mates and companions flown. 
With swifter pinions art thou blest? 

And canst thou overtake 

Thy mates, and hope to make 

With them thy home? 



54 A Book of Verse 



Ah, tireless wanderer! who guides 

Thy lonely, weary way? 
Dost follow unknown star that leads 

Thee on to cloudless day? 
Dost feel some wise, unerring sight, 
That watches o'er thy pathless flight, 
That thou mid storm and darkest night. 
Undaunted, strong, without affright, 

Thy way pursuest? 

Hush! eager questioner; nor seek 
Life's mysteries to unfold! 
Enough that One doth hold 
In wisdom and in love. 
The universe above. 
Beneath, around us all. 
And naught is great, and naught is small 
To Love Omnipotent! 



A Book of Verse 55 



TO CARDINAL MERCIER 

O wonderful man of God! All nations rise and call thee 
blest. 
Thou, in thy Master's name, didst take thy stand 
Against the invader's cruel, ruthless hand. 
And facing danger, torture, even death. 
Followed thy Master's footsteps — He who saith 
In minist'ring to suffering one, thou didst it unto me. 
O wonderful man of God! 

No thought of self withheld thee from thy Master's work. 
Mid shriek of shell, mid roar of battle sound. 
Thou ever ready with thine aid, wert found. 
Higher than Duty, thy blest motive — it was Love! 
Love for thy fellow-men, thy country, from above. 
The great commandments thou didst heed — fulfilling all 
the law. 

O wonderful man of God! 

Thy sacred altars all laid low, the work of centuries lost. 

Thy people homeless, starving, all distraught. 

Grief, deep, intense, heart-breaking, to thee brought. 

But, never through the horror, did thy courage fail ; 

Never thy radiant star of hope and faith grow pale. 
For thy prophetic eye and heart beheld the promised light. 
O wonderful man of God! 

And now both earth and heaven call thee blest, 

Immortalized thy deeds and name. 
Thy dauntless courage, hope and faith shall rest 

Among earth's noblest, on the scroll of fame, 
O wonderful man of God! 



56 A Book of Verse 



BON VOYAGE 

May peace and happiness thy path attend 
And pleasure be thy handmaid, O my friend! 
May ocean's sweUing waves thy cradle be; 
Its heaving bosom rocking, soothing thee. 
Winds all their mad carousals cease, 
With gentle murmurings bring thee peace 
Protecting by the Great, All-Guiding Eye 
With love and " bon voyage," good-bye, good-bye! 

MIZPAH 

Our God a constant watch shall ever keep 
Between us while we wake and while we sleep. 
Though distant far our earthly paths may lie, 
" Mizpah! " shall be my cry. 

What time I feel that human love, though strong 
For loved one's sake to suffer or bear wrong, 
Can ne'er protect from unseen dangers near, 
" Mizpah! " my heart shall cheer. 

When the heart fills with quick and vague alarm, 
Lest thou, beloved, shouldst come to sudden harm; 
And grief or absence cause a tear to well, 
" Mizpah! " such grief shall quell. 

And so, beloved, though 'twixt thee and me 
Are dreary distances of land and sea; 
And though my days are ofttimes sad and drear, 
Without thy voice and smile my heart to cheer ; 
I'll fear for thee no danger, ill or wrong; 
For " Mizpah! " is my heart's triumphant song. 

{Gen. 31, 49.) 



A Book of Verse S7 



THE WORLD'S EASTER 

I sing the World's true Resurrection morn! 

The day-break greets the waiting, prescient eye; 

Its glory lights the cloudy, murky sky. 

The fogs and mists of superstition, fear, 

Dispelled by Easter sun-light, disappear. 

The World's great Soul awakes — the newly-born. 

In deathless sleep for ages hath it lain, 

In fetters — yet with dreams of anguish, pain. 

It struggles — rises! Lo, 'tis coming forth 

From crypt and labyrinth where bound it lay; 

Shrouded no more, in all its native worth 

Rejoicing in its glorious Easter-Day! 

It speaks, and o'er the universe is heard 

Its song triumphant, till all hearts are stirred; 

Work of creation's King, behold, I stand! 

All good, all perfect gifts claim from His Hand." 



58 A Book of Verse 



AMERICA 

America, to thee we're bringing proud acclaim, the while 
we're singing 
Glorious past and glorious future, land of peace and unity. 
From the misty broad Atlantic, o'er thy mountain peaks 
gigantic. 
To Pacific's peaceful borders, sounds the anthem of the 
free. 
Peaceful, mid a world's upheaving; thou the web of life 
art weaving 
Free and fair for coming millions, from the world's 
remotest bound. 
Home art thou of honor, justice, and of peace beloved 
hostess ; 
Children of all creeds and races, shall thy name with 
praises sound. 
Now all eyes to thee are turning; hopeful hearts with zeal 
are burning 
For the hour, the promised hour, knell of war's destroying 
hand. 
Aye with war around them thundering nations proud are 
watching wondering 
Watching what the years will bring thee, Freedom's own, 
its native land. 



Radiant rays of light are gilding firm foundation thou art 
building 
For the world's approaching Day of Brotherhood and 
Unity, 
Song of patriots past, descending; with earth's voices now 
is blending ; 
In a far resounding chorus — "Hail, blest land of Liberty!" 



A Book of Verse 59 



Join we then the mighty choir — swell the chorus high and 
higher! 
All ye hills and mountains echo with the anthem of the 
free! 
Our " country, 'tis of thee " we're singing while with praise 
the air is ringing — 
Praise to Him — Protecting Power — God of Peace and 
Liberty! 
Unfurl the flag, our country's pride! America, now far and 
wide. 
Thy stars and stripes shall watchword be, of Freedom, 
Peace and Unity. 



IT NEARS 

1915 

"In the parliament of man, the federation of the world." 
Tennyson s prophetic vision of many years ago, now on its 
rugg ed way to fulfillment. 

Athwart the midnight blackness of the maddened world, 
A world blood-frenzied in its deadly strife; 
A radiant orb sheds its faint, dawning ray, 

Orb of celestial light. 
Herald of day! 

Despite the reign of savage hate, of age-old barbarism ; 
Despite the bomb, the shot, the shell. 
Dread echoes from the depths of hell ; 
War's fiery baptism! 

Despite the whirlwind wild, of rage death-dealing in its 

might, 
The lurid, threatening clouds that lower, like foul birds 
of the night ; 



60 A B ook of V er s 



Despite the thunder's roar and crash, from earth, from sea 

and sky; 
With piteous moans of mangled men; war's fearful sym- 
phony! 
Despite the curses, groans and prayers, with which the 

air is riven; 
The ghastly hecatombs of dead, unburied and unshriven; 
It nears! The Vision nears! 

In answer to the anguished mother's broken cry and moan; 
The wail of childhood, infancy, bereft of care and home; 
In answer to the prayer of age, left helpless and alone; 
The plea of outraged womanhood, of children yet unborn; 
The sacred right of motherhood, a thing of loathing, scorn; 
In answer to despairing millions, homeless, starving, crazed 
By hideous, hellish horrors, on which, distraught, they 
gazed ; 

It nears! It nears! 
Not till war's horror reaches blackest height. 

Before the world's awe-stricken gaze; 
With man's heart failing, straining toward the light, 
While reason staggers, blind with hate and rage; 
Will nations, demon-driven, all aghast. 
With terrored vision gaze upon the frightful past, 

Appalled at desolation wrought. 

At victory thus bought. 

The carnival of slaughter then shall cease, 
The dawning ray merge into full-orbed benison of Peace. 
While Love, not Hate, as arbiter of nations and of men. 
Shall bid the barren, crimsoned earth, grow green again. 

Begone unfaith! Stifle thy croaking fears! 
It nears! The poet's Vision nears! 



A Book of Verse 61 



FULFILLMENT 

The Eternars purposes for man are mysteries veiled from 

earthly sight, 
On which, until fulfillment, are rarely shed clear rays of 

light. 
For mortal's, in their proud self-will, with arrogance, 

would vainly strive 
Those wisdom purposes to thwart, that their own puny 

plans might thrive. 
So we, all blindly, question how the world's mad conflict, 

born of hell. 
Can be o'er-ruled for final good ; in our blind weakness we 

rebel, 
And say: " Can murdered millions help world-betterment 

to win? 
Can horrors — nameless horrors — a New Age usher in?" 
The answer comes: "Yes, even so, this whirlwind of 

rapine and blood. 
In wisdom's Hand shall all be made to work for unseen, 

coming good. 
For evil thoughts of greed and hate in human hearts that 

lie. 
Like noxious, deadly roots concealed, exposed to sunlight 

— die." 

Proud monuments of classic art no longer grace the earth ; 
A prey to Titan hosts of hell, of mad Satanic birth. 
Full many a priceless treasure, treasure of bygone days, 
Cathedral, altar, spire, dome, of sacred memories; 
And homes the centuries had built, all ruthlessly laid low; 
By war's demoniac, blood-stained hand with wild, rage- 
frenzied blow. 



62 A B ok of V er s e 



Have the centuries turned backward, backward in their 

flight, 
And plunged us into barbarism, savagery and night? 
And is our highest culture dead, and has it proven naught, 
Religion but a fantasy a myth of human thought? 
List! Hear the answer, myriad -voiced ; " Nay, nay, 

forever nay. 
For faith in God as Father, still lights the world to-day; 
Though folly scoffs with scorn and sneer, 'twas ever 

folly's way. 
Though jealous greed, long smouldering, holds brief, 

volcanic sway." 

A spurious Christianity claims rule, with mad command, 
Yet true religion lives, and blesses hearts in every land. 
Behold it in the ministries of man to brother man! 
The lavishment of time and thought, in following kindliest 

plan 
To save the outcast, help the helpless, O work of priceless 

worth! 
'Tis the shadow of the New Age summoned thee to thy 

blest birth. 
Rejoice, for thy redemption comes, O earth! 
When right, not might, the crowning law of nations we 

shall see; 
And Truth and Love in human hearts bring peace and 

liberty. 

Scepters and thrones all swept away, no lordly ruler's 

edict heard. 
The nations shall in freedom rest, the people's voice their 

sovereign word 



A Book of Verse 63 



For tyranny shall disappear, war's armament forever 

cease ; 
And sympathizing Nature smile beneath the radiant orb 

of peace. 

^^ The prophecy of ages past, God's promise proven true, 
" The former things are passed away. Behold, I make all 
things new." 

" GONE WEST " 
(By request) 

Lieut. Ernest G. Odell, in the American Magazine, writes 
as follows: 

" I have seen the bodies of many of our soldiers who have 
been killed in^ battle, and perhaps the most lasting impres- 
sion I have, is the look of peace and rest on their faces. 
I have often spoken of this to others, and they have said the 
same thing; that there was no look of pain or of dread on 
the faces of these men who had ' gone West,' but they were 
calm, unbelievably serene. 

" I like to remember this. When they say ' he has gone 
West,' that really means he has gone Home. What I 
wish I could make you realize, is, that if your boys go to 
the other Home, they go with peace in their hearts and on 
their faces." 

Could you see the peaceful faces of those who have " gone 

West," 
Could you see the calm, still faces — the look of perfect 

rest; 
Could you see the soul's impress on the earthly forms left 

here, 



64 A Book of Verse 



Faces and forms that you have loved, that you have held 

most dear; 
Boys, who on Freedom's altar bravely sacrificed their lives; 
I think 'twould gladden your sad hearts — fathers, mothers, 

wives. 

No fear, nor shuddering horror of the ghastly battle-field 

Distorts their youthful faces, as their souls to God they 
yield, 

And are carried by His messengers to homes beyond the 
skies. 

Where heavenly scenes of peace and love will greet their 
wondering eyes ; 

Could you see the waking there — the smiling, glad sur- 
prise ; 

I think 'twould soothe your sorrow; — fathers, mothers, 
wives ; 

Safe from the world's temptation, safe from Its anxious care, 
Its allurements oft enticing, though hiding many a snare; 
Safe in the world of beauty, of happiness and peace, 
Where strife and hatred between man and brother man shall 

cease. 
Could you see the tender love encircling their new lives ; 
I think you would rejoice with them, — fathers, mothers, 

wives. 



A Book of Verse 65 



A CLEANSING FIRE 

Call it not war, it was a cleansing fire, 
Earth's gold to purify from base alloy. 

Then let the cleansing flame rise higher and higher, 
And wait the new, the coming day with joy; 
With faith and saddened joy. 

Call it not war, it was a cleansing fire. 

The world's mad selfishness to burn away. 

Then let the cleansing flame rise higher and higher, 
Till " Brotherhood " the despot's hand shall stay. 
Haste, haste, the coming day. 

And end the conflict fierce 'twixt Love and Hate, 
'Twixt Heaven's forces, and hell's maddened horde. 

Bravely with faith undaunted, we will wait 

Love's time to strike her sweet victorious chord, 
And sheathe her flaming sword. 

O hearts that ache, O hearts now torn with grief, 
A rainbow ye shall see through blinding tears ; 

A rainbow promising a sure relief; 

Look up, look up! It nears, Love's victory nears! 



66 A Book of Verse 



CHRISTMAS TIME 

Sunny skies, crisp, frosty air. 
Dazzling whiteness everywhere. 
Merry sleigh-bells, sparkling eyes. 
Happy hearts, each one a prize. 
That's Christmas time! 

Childish laughter, wildest glee, 
Hail its growth — The Wonder-Tree! 
Bearing precious fruit, that never 
Ripens, save in bleak December. 
That's Christmas time! 

For a brief and blessed day 
Selfishness hath lost its sway; 
Hearts are beating warm and true. 
Forgetting self, remembering you, 
That's Christmas time! 



A B ook of V er s e 67 



TO THE NEW YEAR 

Whence art thou, whence? thou coming unknown year! 

Why call thee new? Methinks thou art a part 

Of one subUme, one vast Eternity! 

For He, who is the Maker of time past, 

Time present, and of time to come, sees 

Only an Eternal Now! All seasons. 

Years, are held in His Almighty Hand, 

And form our so-called time's far-reaching scroll 

Man measures them with Lilliputian staff. 

Calls these the new, and those the old — for so 

To his dim, clouded sight, perforce it seems. 
But when that sight, all clarified from mist 
Of earth, shall open on the vast Unseen, 
The mysteries of the great Beyond, His count 
Of days, of weeks, of years, of centuries, 
Will seem but idle play of childhood hours, 
Lost in the wonders of Reality. 



